How Much Formula Should My Almost 4 Months Son Be Eating?

My son is also 4 months old and a couple weeks ago, it seemed impossible to fill him up. He would stop eating at about 5 oz of formula (not much for him) but would still root on everything. So I started him on rice cereal before his doctor recommended it. (3 oz of formula to 3 Tbsp. cereal - pretty thick.) He seemed satisfied, but when I took him to the doctor she pointed out that most of his nutrition needs to come from formula. After some experimenting, I've found that 6 oz of formula with 3 Tbsp. of cereal works best for him; he sleeps well, plays happily, and finishes the bottle easily without wanting more afterward. I also asked the doctor about feeding him poi, and she said it is a wonderful, HYPO-allergenic food (allergies are a common problem with feeding ceereal too early), but that it has no iron, so it can be used to fill him when he's still hungry, but iron-fortified formula should still be the main ingredient of his diet. Hope this helps!
A.

Hi J.,

I think at 4 months your baby can pretty much eat what he wants. My Dr. always told me that when he's full he'll stop eating! My little guy will be 2 in October and he was the chunkiest baby ever and now of course that he's walking he's thinned out but he's a really good eater.

I really dont' think there is a set amount really. It totally depends on the baby I think.

I breastfed all my children, so I don't know much about formula, but my middle child was a premie and had a problem holding down milk. My lactation consultant suggested feeding her in smaller more frequent portions so there would be less milk pressing up against the openning of the stomach causing the reflux.
I second the advise of holding off on solid food utill the baby is at least 6 months of age. You should go to the website for the american pediactrics. Another good one is askdrsears.com. I have to tell you, I found in my research that doctors don't always know what's best for your child, and putting rice cereal in formula is one of the things that can lead to obesity in chidren... you should check out the websites and do some research, don't always listen to your doctor, check it out for yourself first!
You sound like you're doing wonderful, congratulations on your little one!

Dear J.,

Well, for one thing you need to remember that your son's brain is still developing and if the doctor said to give him cereal, then do it wholeheartedly.

My daughter was cared for by a surrogate caregiver while they were finding a home for her - she is adopted. The lady did not give her enough food, and her brain was not given enough nourishment and now she has problems with: memory, mathemathics, time management, telling time, and spelling. So, you see this is a serious matter.

Just give him a bottle and he will decide when he is full, then check his stomach to see if he is full.

The doctor had me wake up my daughter to give her an extra bottle until she was 10 months old so that the nourishment could be more constant in her body. You see that it didn't cure the problem. She was 3 months and 2 weeks old when I got her. In the first week she gained so much weight that the doctor said that he wouldn't have recognized her if I hadn't been holding her. Such a dramatic change showed how much she needed that extra food.

I think that your baby will not demand as much formula when he has the proper amount of cereal. You know, that cereal grains were the very first crop that human beings grew when we were moving from a roaming tribe to a stable place to live.

Umhuh, that is true. So you see we human beings need cereal grains in our diets in order to have nature take care of our growth and fuel needs.

Sincerely, C. N. O.K.?

My baby is also about 4 months old (born in may). He has shown no interest in solids and I agree that babies should wait until 6 months to really get into solids. I havent ever seen or heard advice (except from moms who raised their kids about 25 years ago) to put cereal in a bottle. I would absolutley talk with your doctor more. If he thinks the baby really should start on solids, it is probably better to feed the baby cereal with a spoon.
Good luck

They make formulas for spitting up babies. Ask your doctor what they recommend. He may have gas as well. Just give it time. He is doing fine. My son didn't have that problem but had very bad gas as to getting alot of hiccups. It is also good to refer to the book "What to expect in the first years". That was always a help. Especially when he was sick.

Why do you want to stop the cereal? A baby that age should not be just surviving on formula. Rice cereal will put weight in his stomach and so he won't be hungry as often. Where did you get the idea that cereal is bad for the baby? You give him as much formula as he will take. He knows when he is full. I could see if you were talking about fruit, meat, veggies, and such but rice cereal. In another month or so you can start giving the baby mixed cereal and to regulate his bowels, oatmeal later on. Don't starve this kid!!!! I understand that this is your first and your trial and error baby but feed this child. Keep your miracle healthy and happy and full. R. T

Hi, I wouldn't be too worried about feeding your son solids. That is when most of the people that i've talked to started feeding their babies at or around 4 months. My dr. told me not to put it in her bottle though. He told me to spoon feed it to her you can water it down as much or as little as you want. My doctor also told me to only feed her cereal once a day, and i was breast feeding so to just breastfeed her whenever she was hungry, because at that age they aren't eating because it tastes good like we do, so when he's full he'll stop eating. I wouldn't worry about it too much, it sounds like you are doing an excellent job. Your son will tell you if he's hungry or not. I hope everything goes well.

Some babies spit up more than others... spit up is usually just a tablespoon or so. If he is "spitting up" more than this.... then maybe it's something else. I baby sat a baby once, whom the parents told me spit up a lot. BUT, in my observation, the child wasn't spitting up, she was "vomiting." Every time she ate or drank, she would regurgitate a ton. I told the parents, and they didn't realize....after awhile, they took her to the doctor and she had reflux problems, AND the child had swallowing coordination problems, and she was tiny for her age as she was not getting in enough intake, and it was affecting her physical and cognitive development. All I suggest, is that you make sure it is just spitting up. Yes, usually giving solids is not recommended until AT LEAST 6 months of age (per the American Academy of Pediatrics) ... due to their immature digestive system still. Remember, it's not just calories that the baby takes in... the formula is "fortified" with IRON & nutrients as well....which they need to prevent iron deficiencies. It's not just fluid and solid intake... it's the nutrition of it... and the balance of it. At 4 months of age... usually the baby drinks about 6 ounces of formula per sitting, about every 4 hours. Some babies may drink more. Remember to mix the formula as directed.... don't lessen the water amounts because it can affect the baby... the ratios of formula and water are specific for their bodies... because their internal organs and digestive system & kidneys are STILL developing at this age. You don't want to overload their organs. If your baby is growing well, is in the 'normal' percentiles, and is hitting his milestones on par, is alert and healthy, then that's great. Perhaps ask your Pediatrician again if there is something else you can do... saying that you are not comfortable giving your son cereal yet etc., and to see what alternatives there are. Have allergies been ruled out as well? Has other possibilities been ruled out, medically? Or get a second opinion. Good luck.. and take care.
~Susan
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